Hurricane Harvey in Numbers

Our thoughts this week lie with the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, where we have many friends.

For those of us still trying to get their heads around the level of absolute destruction from Hurricane Harvey, and just how hard Houston got it, we’ve collated some statistics from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. All numbers are correct as of early Thursday, and will likely climb as the assessment and clean-up operation continue in the coming days.THE DEVASTATION IN NUMBERS

51.88 inches of rainfall during Harvey – a new record for rainfall in the continental US38 people already confirmed to have died as a result of Harvey (expected to rise)6,044 single-family homes destroyed in Texas82,422 homes damaged in Texas$179.68 million worth of damage to public property 14,000 Texas National Guard troops deployed24,000 additional troops be deployed by late next week34,575 evacuees in shelters state-wide (approximately) 224,127 people without electricity due to the storm106,135 people still without power in the Houston area5,000 evacuees living in state parks9,314 people rescued or evacuated by state game rangers210,000 Texas registrations for federal aid$37 million in federal assistance already approved5 million meals served to evacuees by the Federal Emergency Management AgencySHIPPING STATUS UPDATEShipping operations on the Gulf coast are slowing finding their feet again. The US Coast Guard on Thursday said it was reopening the Port of Corpus Christi for vessels with up to 43 feet (13.1 metres) draft and only during daylight hours. The port has also reopened the inner harbour to allow for vessels with up to 20 feet (6.1 metres) draft.

Corpus Christi said the ship channel was also reopening with certain restrictions. More than 20 vessels are awaiting berth assignments at the port, the Coast Guard said.

About 80% of US crude oil exports go out of Corpus Christi. Analysts say that any halt in exports, however short-lived, would have a large impact on global energy supply.

The ports of Houston, Texas City, Galveston and Freeport began reopening with restrictions on vessel traffic from Wednesday night. The Houston Ship Channel remains shut.

Houston ships more gasoline than any other US port, accounting for some 38% of overall US gasoline exports, with a combined value of over $14 billion during the first half of 2017.

The Port of Houston said on Thursday there had been “no evidence of flooding on [the] terminal. No visible damage to containers, cranes, or other terminal equipment.”

Most oil refineries in the Houston area have been shut down amid flooding, accounting for 2.2 million barrels of capacity sitting idle each day.